How Solocal Transformed the French Yellow Pages Into a Local Search Powerhouse

In an industry once dominated by yellow pages, traditional media publishers and even established companies like Yahoo needed to evolve in order to stay relevant in the constantly progressing local search space. Jean-Pierre Remy, president and CEO of Solocal Group (formerly PagesJaunes Groupe), led his organization’s remarkable transformation from traditional print publisher to one of the world’s most progressive local search companies.

According to Paul Plant, founder of Radicle Consulting and over 30 years of experience in directive media and advertising, Solocal had “the foresight, vision and courage to embrace the undeniable shift towards new digital products and media solutions.”

Solocal reaches 90% of French consumers through its portfolio of print, digital, mobile and social products and ranks as one of the top 10 global companies in terms of online revenues, with 59% of its approximately $1.5 billion annual revenue coming from its digital offerings.

Recently, MIT’s Sloan Business School, in association with CapGemini Consulting, conducted a study into digital transformation within large traditional billion-dollar-plus organizations. The purpose was to identify companies from traditional business sectors who had successfully embraced digital technology in order to radically transform their performance. The report specifically cited Solocal as a company that was able to successfully capitalize on new digital opportunities in directive media publishing and they now serve as a model example for the industry.

For the first time, Remy will be sharing the story of his company’s transformation at the Local Search Association’s annual conference, “Search Starts Here,” which is taking place on April 13-16 in Las Vegas. In addition, the conference brings together some of the biggest names in print, digital, social and mobile media and features speakers and workshops covering a long list of strategic and tactical topics. High ranking execs from Facebook, Solocal, CityGrid, Google, YP, Groupon, Yelp and many more will discuss issues like “What’s Working in Mobile,” “What To Know about Local SEO,” “Scaling Social: Can It Be Done Cost Effectively?” and “Clicks, Calls & Leads: The Evolving Local Business Model,” to name a few.

With the conference theme “Blueprint for Making Local Pay Off,” another benefit of attending is the variety of formal and informal networking events and receptions that are planned for the expected 400 attendees. The conference offers poolside networking tents, company-specific tables or rooms, and exhibitor booths, all of which are intended to help companies develop partnerships that drive their businesses forward.

If your organization helps local businesses get found, then “Search Starts Here” is the conference you can’t afford to miss. Also, as a reader of Street Fight you get 10% OFF conference registration. Just use code “STRTFGHT” when you register. For more information, visit the Local Search Association’s Conference Page.

As President of the Local Search Association, Neg Norton leads and supports local search marketers who deliver cutting-edge solutions that span digital, print, mobile and social media. He brings more than 20 years of experience in helping connect local businesses with ready-to-buy customers.